This bulletin presents key findings regarding the use of sedatives or tranquillisers and anti-depressant in Ireland and Northern Ireland from the third drug prevalence survey of households in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

A representative sample of adults aged between 15 and 64 years was sampled during late 2010 and early 2011. The bulletin presents results regarding use of sedatives or tranquillisers and anti-depressants on lifetime (ever used), last year (recent use) and last month (current use) prevalence rates. The bulletin also examines age of first use,frequency of use, methods of taking the substances, how they were obtained and the profile of those who take these substances. The survey was carried out according to standards set by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).